On integrated modeling of tidal flat environments based on the systems theory

The study of tidal flats has a history of nearly a century. A system of terminology and empirical law has been established for tidal flat geomorphic and sedimentary zonation, tidal creek dynamics, and the formation of salt marsh edge cliffs, on the basis of field observations and data collection, systematic feature descriptions, and process and mechanism analyses. However, from the perspective of Earth system science, there is a need of the establishment of a set of control equations for tidal flats, as a type of complex systems, to reveal their local, instantaneous characteristics and general evolution patterns. According to the theory of complex systems and the framework of artificial intelligence technology, the key of the tidal flat system model is to provide the expressions of the relevant state variables and their control equations, which are derived from theoretical principles, empirical formulas, and mathematical assumptions. The artificial intelligence technology helps to identify the application scenarios of the model and enhance the reliability of the model on the local to global scales, capable of dealing with both stable and regime shift situations. Such a model will provide an ideal tool for an integrated investigation into tidal flats, in terms of the geomorphic zonation, tidal creek formation, biogeomorphology, ecosystems, climate change consequences, coastal human activity impacts, sedimentary records as archives of environmental change, and the tidal environments in the geological past, making full use of artificial intelligence techniques.